Joseph in the Snow, and the Clockmaker. in Three Volumes. Vol. II.

A novel written in the mid-19th century. The book centers on the day-to-day lives of clockmakers in the Black Forest and explores themes of family, community, and the process of grieving, particularly through the character Lenz as he copes with the loss of his mother and contemplates his future. The opening of the book introduces readers to the quiet and contemplative village life in the Black Forest, where Lenz, recently bereaved, navigates his sorrow and the expectations of his community. We meet various villagers who reflect on the nature of loss and remembrance as they speak of Lenz and his late mother, a woman held in high regard for her kindness. As Lenz prepares to set off on his solitary journey of healing, prompted both by his own grief and the concerns of those around him, he grapples with the notion of change and the pressure from his uncle to travel away from home, which contrasts sharply with his deep attachment to his roots and his memories.